Standard Time Sucks

It's warming up in Dallas this week. Yesterday was in the mid seventies and today it got up to 80 degrees. Since the clocks moved off of Daylight Saving Time in November I've been counting down the days until we move them forward. That day is fast approaching. About 3.5 weeks from today. It got me thinking, why the hell do we ever go off DST anyways?

Day Light Saving History

DST was first enacted during World War I as a way to conserve energy. If it stayed light for longer, people used less energy. Seems pretty simple. After the war, local jurisdictions were free to decide if and when they observed DST until the Uniform Time Act of 1966. In 1974 DST was enacted year round but there were complaints of children going to school and workers going to work in the dark so it was repealed the following year (source). I guess people would rather come home in the dark then? Personally, I'd much rather have the darkness on the beginning of the day than the end. Although in my ideal world we wouldn't start school or work until about 11am and we'd all be wrapped up by 2pm. The days naturally get shorter and longer as the Earth moves around the sun. We all learned what seasons are when we were like 3 years old. Why not just stay on DST year round? Work and school shouldn't start until 9am anyways. There were some rumors circulating that Florida was thinking about staying on DST year round. I think it fell through. Keep pushing for it Florida. I believe in you.

Day Light Saving Time Fun Facts

Apparently most Americans hate DST. There's even a petition you can sign to get rid of DST at standardtime.com. I think that's a little harsh. Anyways, here's some fun facts about DST.

Fun Fact 1: Farmers really, really hate DST

Growing up I heard that DST was implemented to benefit farmers. As it turns out, farmers have been one of the strongest lobbying groups against DST since its creation. Farmers' livelihoods are tied to the sun so messing with the clocks pisses them off. DST hurts their productivity although it's unclear why.

Fun Fact 2: Injuries and Accidents Increase when the Time Changes

This makes a lot of sense. The clocks moving around disrupt people's sleep. So let's just stay on DST (source)!

Fun Fact 3: The Grill and Charcoal Industries and National Association of Convenience Stores lobbied to Increase DST

People like grilling and drinking beers with their friends. As it turns out, people especially like these things when it stays light past 5pm.
In 1986 the Grill and Charcoal Industries successfully lobbied to increase DST from 6 months to 7 months. In 2005 when another extension to DST came to a vote it was the National Association of Convenience Stores that lobbied the hardest to increase. More daylight means kids are out later which means more candy sales, especially around halloween. You might remember a time when the clocks moved back right before halloween. Well, thanks to the National Association of Convenience Stores the clocks go back in November (source).

DST or Standard Time?

You all know what my vote is. I think DST is king. The farmers and kids will adapt. All jokes aside, it seems like we just need to pick one and stick with it. No matter what camp you're in, I think we can all agree on that.

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